Grow again: Easy instant colour with bedding plants

Spring marks the end of a cold, bleak winter and a change of season that promises to be better than ever before. We’re ready to come out of our dormancy and grow again with every new leaf and petal. And while we’ve patiently waited for spring and cheerier days to arrive, planting hope and happiness shouldn’t have a similar wait time. For a glorious garden you can make a start on now – and one that’ll make up for lost time - bedding plants are the answer.

Instant, easy colour

Bedding plants are instant colour. They’re for amateurs - and kids too. Bedding plants are cheery rays of sunshine regardless of the weather. They’re a shortcut to garden glory – if they’re not fully grown, you won’t have to wait long, promise. Bedding plants are speedy and fuss-free. They’re ready to go to a good home, already arranged in pots and hanging baskets. Bedding plants are gap-fillers and can squeeze into the smallest spaces. They’re small yet mighty. Bedding plants are temporary, but in a good way, so you can try new colours and types each season.

Spring contenders

With their rounded, flat faces, it’s hard not to love Pansies and Violas. A favourite for generations, these brightly coloured flowers work well in hanging baskets, patio containers and borders. They also offer a soft, sweet fragrance.

Featuring daisy-like petals, Senetti are bold flowers and come in vivid shades like purple, blue, indigo and violet. Bees and butterflies are huge fans of their central white markings, so they’re an addition that pollinators will enjoy too. Place them in the sun or partial shade, but they’ll stop flowering when summer temperatures rocket.

Even those without a green thumb can plant Geraniums with minimum time and effort. These beauties not only shine bright, but they’re low maintenance too.

Brighten up shrubs with Clematis. They provide height and colour, varying from small bells to larger star-shaped blooms. Most types grow best in a sunny or part-shaded position, but there are plants to suit all conditions. They look particularly good next to Roses. Romantic connotations aside, roses are one of the world’s most-loved flower. These fluffy blooms last well in pots and containers, so are ideal for adding life to balcony setups and petit patios. They love sunshine and can handle bright light for half the day. Keep on top of watering too, especially in summer.

A trailblazer for lifting moods, Polyanthus is a popular spring bedding plant. These dainty beauties have been cheering us up for over hundred years and have clearly stood the test of time. Front row of beds aside, plant them in a pot and show them off in full view on a garden table or windowsill. They even look great on the arms of rugged evergreen foliage.